Corner House Youth Project and Hype Youth Project in Stockton-on-Tees have been enjoying a creative boost this summer with fun-filled art workshops from LifewithArt. Allan Barnfarther, one of LifewithArt’s most experienced north-east tutors, has brought all his art skills to bear, offering the young people a variety of arty options to get their creative juices flowing.

Our organisation works with some of the most vulnerable and deprived young people in the local area. These young people often don’t have the chance to do something social or that interests them, so the art club has been a great opportunity for the young people, and they have thoroughly enjoyed it. I think the young people have found it therapeutic and enjoyed the praise from Alan and our staff over their creations.

Alan allowed the young people to make their artwork their own and explore their imaginations. The young people have developed skills that they would not have practiced outside of these sessions. A lot of our young people have an interest in art however struggle with art classes during education, whereas these sessions have been less formal for them which has allowed them to enjoy it a lot more and not be judged on their work.

I can’t praise Alan enough for how well he works with the young people, especially when the young people we work with all display challenging behaviours.

Creative Youth Network